At Philly school board meeting, concerns bubble up over the school closing process and principals working without contracts

Board president Reginald Streater wraps up public comment by reminding the public that "we are chronically underfunded" and said that everything folks asked for "has a cost."

But he says the board is listening, even if they don't say anything.

Lynda Rubin, a retired district staffer and a member of the Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools, decries charter schools.

Leah Clouden, daughter of Mama Gail and Horace Clouden, tells the board: "K-8 in our urban area do not work."

"We need the basics put back in school — phonics and cursive writing," Clouden said. Without the basics, the district is "dooming these children to slavery."

Mama Gail Clouden is "calling on the ancestors to fix this" — issues in the district.

"We have been better, and we're going to be better with or without you," Mama Gail says to Watlington. Talking about the district's accolades is great, but "when the children in my neighborhood aren't doing well, that's a problem."

Horace Clouden, a retired district building engineer, is again emphasizing his belief that restoring a junior high model will improve the entire district.

Students aren't prepared for high school coming from a K-8 setting, Clouden said.

Barbara Dowdall, a retired district teacher and member of the Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools, is talking about Ada Lewis, namesake of a now-closed school and a teacher who authored the report that helped integrate Philadelphia schools.

Emily Pugliese, a district parent and staffer at a climate nonprofit, is drawing attention to the 88 schools that received poor/unsatisfactory building scores in the district's assessment.

"I hope that you will pause this process even further," and work with the community to prioritize safety and comfort, and building upgrades.

"We know the current administration and school board isn't responsible" for the poor condition of many district schools. But it has a host of organizations and community members ready to help, Pugliese said.

Shawn Viera, a district climate manager, tells the board: "Climate managers and other members of CASA deserve a fair contract."

Michael Roth, principal of Olney High, said he is not against charters — he used to work for one. But the district is "experimenting" with charters, Roth said, at the expense of traditional public schools.

The board just approved a dual enrollment school to serve schools in Olney's zip code, even though Olney offers dual enrollment.

"Let's support all students," Roth said. He tells the board: Get our house in order before authorizing new schools.

Barbara O'Connell, a volunteer with the Friends of Bache-Martin, talks about her group's efforts to run the school library, and how beneficial it's been to students.

"The library is creating kids who not only can read, but also will satisfy their curiosity, and that will transport them, and stay with them throughout their lives," O'Connell said. She urges the board to provide school libraries for all students.

School psychologist Paul Brown said the facilities planning process overemphasizes efficiency and under-values sustainability.

"The demographics of my high school is a direct result of the closing of Germantown High School in 2013," said Brown, who works at Roxborough. There's "unsustainable stress on our public school system. We need to keep our schools open. The goals of efficiency should not come at the expense of our most vulnerable."

Sarah Burgess, a parent at Lea Elementary and a Lift Every Voice member, is advocating for guaranteed bathroom breaks and time to eat lunch.

"Parents aren't looking for scapegoats. We're asking for a system-wide policy," Burgess said. "I know implementation is easier said than done. I know there can be staffing challenges, and I know there are competing priorities," but this is an issue we all agree on, she said.

Jason Grisby, a community member, said the same issues have plagued city schools for years. "When is things going to change?" Grisby said.

He also shared concerns about the security of schools. He walked into a city school without being questioned as an outsider, Grisby said. Superintendent Watlington tells Grisby that a security official will speak to him, and no one should be able to walk into a school.

Donna Fields, a mother of three former district students and community researcher, urges the board to consider data to support schools.

Quibila Divine, another community member, said 98% of parents in a North Philadelphia survey felt unwelcome in their child's school. Meaningful family engagement leads to better student outcomes, Divine said, but teachers are often not trained on how to do this.

Zach McGrath, a legislative aide for Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, is reading a statement on behalf of Thomas. He supports Lift Every Voice's joy campaign and its call for explicit promises for bathroom and water breaks for students.

"We maintain our support for their five wellness policy recommendations," Thomas wrote. District-wide solutions are needed for these matters.

Gloria Presley, of Philly Aquatics, is also calling for indoor, year-round swimming opportunities for all students.

"We cannot afford to wait any longer," Presley said. "We cannot afford to turn our backs on Philly youth."

Daniel Reyes, a teacher at Roxborough High and member of Stand Up for Philly Schools, tells the board: "I'm here to advocate against closing schools," Reyes said.

Closing schools destabilizes neighborhoods, Reyes said, asking: Why is the process downsizing the district without addressing the effect of charters on the district?

"We need stable, K-12 systems in all neighborhoods that meet the needs of all students," Reyes said.

Charisma Presley, head of Philly Aquatics, is advocating for year-round swimming opportunities for city schools. Marcus Foster and Pickett Pools are the group's priorities.

Now we're onto public comment. Thirty speakers have signed up to testify; there are four speakers on the waiting list.

Streater said he completed the survey with his parent hat on — Streater has two children in a neighborhood K-8 school — and said it was easy to complete, finished in about five minutes.

» READ MORE: Take the survey

Board member Joan Stern notes the good financial news.

"We are very proud of continuing to receive upgrades in our credit rating," Stern said. The state budget — newly passed — is a help, but the district must be "constantly vigilant about our finances."

» READ MORE: What to know about Pennsylvania’s long-overdue state budget

Board member Wanda Novales reminds the public that this is their last chance to weigh in on school facilities planning before decisions are made, and urges principals to push the surveys out to families.

She also asks Superintendent Watlington to talk about how this survey is different. He says it's more open-ended, not ranked.

"We're going to consider every bit of the feedback," Watlington said.

» READ MORE: School closings are coming to Philly. Here are four themes that are emerging as leaders come closer to decisions.

Board member Cheryl Harper calls for a round of applause for principals, assistant superintendents, and staff for increases in student and teacher attendance.

"Exciting news" on the district's financial outlook, Watlington said: The district got a credit rating upgrade, its third in three years. It's now Baa1 rated by Moody's.

On dropouts:

In October this year, 384 students dropped out.

It was 707 students in October of 2024, Watlington said.

Good news on student attendance, Watlington said: 79% regular attendance in October — a 3 percentage point increase compared to last year.

For teachers, 84% of teachers attended 90% or more. That's up from 79% regular attendance in October of 2024.

And we're back. Board president Streater allowed Frantzceska Dorvilien, the Mastery Simon Gratz High School student, to read a poem she wrote about how Gratz helped her on her journey.

Now we're on to Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.'s presentation.

That's the end of the student speakers list. The board is taking a five-minute recess because it's dealing with technical difficulties.

Whitman Dougherty, a Philadelphia student, entertains the crowd with tales of learning to swim and row. He's a member of Philly Aquatics, a group advocating for year-round swim opportunities for all.

"Opportunity doesn't depend on luck. It depends on access," Whitman says.

Student speakers are on now.

The first is Devon Choice, a senior at Mastery Simon Gratz High School. Devon says he's been challenged and encouraged at Gratz, which offers students myriad opportunities.

Frantzceska Dorvilien, another Gratz High School student, is testifying in Spanish through an interpreter. Frantzceska has lived in the U.S. for three years, and it hasn't been easy, she said, but school is a bright spot — her teachers have pushed her to be the best, and supported her, regardless of challenges.

Roll call: All board members are present for today's meeting except Crystal Cubbage.

The board met in executive session to discuss several matters, including "property disposition" and confidential charter and investigation matters.

On the state budget, the board president says "this year's budget moves us in the right direction," but says the state must move forward more quickly to meet the educational adequacy gap identified by experts.

"We have made meaningful progress, but Pennsylvania must keep moving toward adequacy so every student in every neighborhood has the resources they need to learn, grow and thrive," Streater said.

Streater says the school board has not received any applications for new charter schools.

One of the seniors of the month is Mario Rodriguez of Thomas A. Edison High School, who came to Philadelphia from El Salvador. Streater says he is a strong student with scholarship offers in hand already.

The other senior of the month is Kateryna Sobolevska. A George Washington High School student who came to the U.S. from Ukraine, she's an International Baccalaureate student who was chosen for a prestigious Princeton University journalism program.

Teacher of the month is Takia McClendon of Bethune Elementary.

Board president Streater reminds the crowd that board member Joyce Wilkerson recently won a prize as the nation's top urban educator.

School board meeting, here we go!

Board president Reginald Streater is detailing board visits this month: including to MYA (Middle Years Alternative), and spending time at the Council of Great City Schools' national conference, held this year in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia School Board is set to host its monthly action meeting on Thursday at 4 p.m.

There are a variety of issues expected to come up, including concerns over the school closing process and anger from principals who have been working for three months without a contract.

Follow along for more updates.